Axle-box for cars



Patented lune 211899. E. L. HOWE.

AXLE BOX FOFLCARS.

(Application filed May 12, 1898.)

(N9 Model.)

WITNE ssEs. INYENTOR.

BY. A I ATTORNEY.

0.. WASHI EUGENE L. HOWE, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN.

Y NITEDJV STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AXL-E-BOX-FOR'CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,420, dated June 20,1899.

Application filed May 12, 1898.

retain the oil or lubricant within the 3X16.

boX, and thereby prevent waste and keep the axle lubricated, and,second, toreturn to the axle all the oilwhich maybe thrown against thelid of the box. These objects I accomplish by means of the mechanismillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which' I Figure 1 is a sideelevation ofan axle-box constructed in accordance with my invention.Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view through the center of the same.Fig. 3 is a front view with the lid secured and with a portion of theouter flange cut away, showing the groove between the flanges andoil-drip opening from the groove to the inside of the axle-box. Fig. 4cis a detail view showing, on an' enlarged scale, the construction forpreventingaccess of water to the axle-box through the joint formed bythe closed lid.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the outer shell or case of the axle-box, the same beingconstructed of any suitable material.

B represents the lid hingedto the case.

with an opening for the reception of the hingebolt E, which attaches thelid to the shell or case A. The front upper edge of the case extendsupward, forminga shoulder D, which when the lid is closed comes incontact with the shoulder D of the lid, making a close-fitting joint, asshown in Figs. 1 and 4. It will be noticed that the shoulder D is onthefront upper edge of the box and'that the shoulder D is on the lid B, sothat when said lid is closed the said shoulders D and D are in closecontact with each other and make a tight joint. Just back of this jointthere is a transas shown in Fig. 2 by dotted lines. 0 is a lug orprojection on the case, provided Serial to. 680,495. (No model.)

Verse depression or channel L, which is eX-' having sufficient depth topass to the interior I of the inner rib H, hereinafter described.

' G is an outer rib or flange made integral with the case,-and H is aninner rib' or flange. These ribs or flanges G and H are located in thebox-opening to which the lid B is fitted,

and they are suitably spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 2. Between the ribsor" flanges Gand H is a groove or space which may be fitted with apacking, as shown in Fig. 2 by J. The packing, however, may be dispensedwith.

K is a notch or hole throughth e rib H, designed to allow any oil whichmay be driven beyond the rib H into the groove to flow back into thebox.Any suitable form of spring may be used to retain the lid closed.

The axle-box is designed to contain oil or fluid lubricants, and themotion of the car will throw the oil against the lid and, as axleboxesare usually constructed, more or less is wasted. This is obviated in myinvention by the use of the two ribs G and H, with the groove betweensuch ribs, and the lid with the flange F, adapted to fit into theopening closely and extending when the lid is closed to or beyond theinner side of the inner rib, The oil thrown in contact with the lid willnecessarily drive a small quantitybeyond the inner rib H, but notsufficient to pass the second or outer rib G, and consequently this oilwill run down into the groove and escape by means of the vent-opening Kinto the body of the box. The use of the packing J will make a closerjoint than can be made without it; but I have found in practice thatsubstantially no oil will escape even when no packing is used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to have invented, anddesireto secure by Letters Patent, is.

1. In an axle-box, the combination of a case or shell provided with alid-opening having an outer rib G and an inner rib H therein, a. grooveor space between said ribs, a dripvent K located in the inner rib andestablishing communication between said groove and the interior of thecase or shell, and a lid 13 hinged to the case and provided with aflange F adapted to extend inward beyond the groove between said ribswhen the lid is closed, substantially as described.

2. In an axle-box, the combination of a case or shell provided with alid-opening having an outer rib G and an inner rib H therein, a grooveor space between said ribs, packing

